Reading the 20th Century discussion

Welcome to our January 2025 buddy read of....




Nice Work (The Campus Trilogy, #3)

by

David Lodge



"Nice Work" is a hilarious comedy of society and class misunderstandings. When Vic Wilcox, MD of Pringle's engineering works, meets English lecturer Dr Robyn Penrose, sparks fly as their lifestyles and ideologies collide head on. But, in time, both parties make some surprising discoveries about each other's worlds - and about themselves. 'A work of immense intelligence, informative, disturbing and diverting' - "Observer"

This is next up for me


Looking forward to the final part of the trilogy

This one was shortlisted for the Booker Prize

Promising opening. I've got a better feeling about this one than number two.

One and a half chapters in and this already feels significantly better than Small World. It's good to hopefully be ending the trilogy on a high.

Both Vic and Robyn are well drawn, wholly credible characters. I'm looking forward to them meeting. There's also wry humour throughout and great sections on literary theory. So far, so fab.

Looking forward to it, though it sounds as though I enjoyed Small World more than you.

Thanks SueLucie



I liked Small World but didn’t love it. I preferred Changing Places.

This is the Penguin tribute to the late David Lodge:
https://www.penguin.co.uk/articles/20...

Thanks Brian - very interesting


RIP DL

I am reading my Detectives group reads, then I will get to this and the Wilt. Somehow, they go together in my mind now!

Susan wrote: "I am reading my Detectives group reads, then I will get to this and the Wilt. Somehow, they go together in my mind now!"

They do, don’t they? I’m reading Moonflower Murders now but these two are next on my RTTC list.

Yes, I can see the link


Especially Wilt and the world of Rummidge

Philip Swallow has appeared. A very different Philip Swallow.


Still really enjoying this one. It seems more relatable than the previous two books.

It was esp appropriate to add the Penguin Books Memorial to David Lodge.

For many years I made a point of looking for the distinctive Penguin Books Colors in the "L" section of the fiction books. At regular intervals, I found new Lodge titles for what was always my reading pleasure. The result is that I have read very nearly his entire output, Including some of the non fiction and I think, all of his more resent, less humorous and more personal novels.

It is not for me to argue that he was a greatest, or best or even better than...

That said I will gladly place the worst chapters of this trilogy against what anyone cares to offer as the best of Lucky Jim.

I would not place Lodge in the front ranks of Best fiction, maybe not Best 20th Century English Fiction. But if he is not in the room, the entire list of invitees is suspect.

Embarking on this now. Expectations high.

Looking forward to your reactions

Robyn and Vic have finally met…,


….with predictable results


In all these books I notice DL is unnecessarily lascivious when it comes to describing women’s bodies. Very jarring to modern eyes. For example the scene as Robyn and Penny are preparing to play squash

Nigeyb wrote: "Robyn and Vic have finally met…,


….with predictable results

Maybe I had the wrong translation. As I recall, Robin and Vic are never lovers. What are these results that were so predictable?

I do remember that he, Vic had to do some serious thinking to insure his relationship with Robin remains that of non lovers.

The predictable results are that two so completely different characters would appall and confound each other

But bear in mind that we're still reading so keep comments spoiler free from here on in until we've all finished

Appreciate the warning, I was not that sure where you were in the book.

The premise is that these are two very different people from very different worlds and world views. This is the starting point of the book. They should come into conflict.

Agreed this did not come as a surprise, because, it should not come as a surprise, because it was never intended to be a surprise. To me it was very deliberately broadcast that these two would come into conflict, and that this conflict is a/the central pivot point of the story.

Over halfway note and still really enjoying this one. The culture clash continues to be a great device for highlighting some of the contemporaneous social, political, and economic issues. The two main characters are also both very convincing and compelling

120 pages to go and still very taken with this novel



How are you getting on SueLucie?

Anyone else underway?

I’m enjoying this, making slow progress as reading time has been scarce this week. Vic and Robyn haven’t met yet. About 200 pages to go so perhaps halfway? Philip Swallow almost unrecognisable.

Agree on all counts

Nigeyb wrote: "Robyn and Vic have finally met…,


….with predictable results


In all these books I notice DL is unnecessarily lascivious when it comes to describing women’s bodies. Very jarring to modern eyes. ..."

I’ve just read this part and totally agree. Interesting that the latest Private Eye has a sort of RIP David Lodge, a typically satirical imagining of an unwritten book of his that is thoroughly lewd about women, suggesting that he was known to write this kind of thing. Can’t say I noticed that much in the earlier two we have read in this trilogy.

Yes, it seems more pronounced in this one but I recall other instances


I've got about 80 pages left

Very enjoyable. The two main characters are very convincing

So close to the end now, but not quite. Feels like a satisfying conclusion in prospect too

Just finished the last few pages


Loved it. Terrific ending too. Very satisfying 👏🏼

I am so pleased to find fewer characters to grapple with here and that we can really get to know the two main ones. I am enjoying Vic and Robyn, and everything about their very different lives and experiences.
His description of the foundry will stay with me forever.

I agree SueLucie. Nice Work feels more compact, coherent, and convincing than the previous two. Both of which I enjoyed but this is the best for my money. I am now interested in reading more of David Lodge's work.

My spoiler free review of Nice Work….



https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

4/5

I’m making good progress at last. Vic has just given his speech to the workers. I adore both Vic and Robyn and their interaction, and their growing friendship/mutual respect. No spoilers please but I have so many ideas about how this will end - racing through the last 100 pages.

Fabulous


Another satisfied customer

It’s a rip roaring read isn’t it?

She’s going to Frankfurt!!

Oh Jennifer Rush!!

Nigeyb wrote: "I agree SueLucie. Nice Work feels more compact, coherent, and convincing than the previous two. Both of which I enjoyed but this is the best for my money. I am now interested in readin..."

Here s to encourage you. I have read many Lodge title.s Many are somewhat similar , most are not. His last works are very much conscious of his advancing age.
I have not tried his more scholarly works, but he taught me a lot about how to read fiction. This was in a book that published a series he did on the subject of reading/writing fiction.

Nigeyb wrote: "Just finished the last few pages


Loved it. Terrific ending too. Very satisfying 👏🏼"

Yes, great ending, a real pleasure throughout.

So glad you also enjoyed it so much too SueLucie